After reading a recent article in The Royal Gazette about Andrew Bascome and Richard Todd, all I could do was smile with delight for them, the lesson of perseverance has been taught in their story.Two gentlemen with a distinctive passion for football have after a long journey of coaching at differing levels, reached that ultimate destiny, of coaching the Bermuda national football team.The Bermuda Football Association is known for using home grown coaches to prepare the national team, a trait which shouldn’t go unnoticed, which they deserve credit for.In most cases the teams have performed reasonably well making us proud to be Bermudians. For Andrew Bascome it has been a long time coming and I’m so glad to see him finally given the chance.The whole of Bermuda knows that he is passionate about football; he eats, sleeps and breathes football. His love of football and desire to better himself as a coach has made him a legend here in Bermuda, and not one player can truthfully say that after working under him they haven’t grown and improved as a player.Not only does he have the vision and tactical mindset to have us playing good football, he also holds various coaching badges to back it up, thus giving him the experience to fulfill this role adequately.Many would know that over the recent years Andrew has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into youth football. Hardly a day would go by where you couldn’t find him coaching down at Bernard’s Park or at Saltus, displaying and teaching his expertise to Bermuda’s youngsters. Even in the height of summertime during cricket season, he would always make himself available to coach. It is this thirst, hunger and love of the game that has made him and his teams successful, that passion rubbing off in a positive light to the many willing to listen and learn.When players are coached by someone who demonstrates his appetite for the game through the preparedness of the sessions, the ever listening ear, and dedication to the sport both on and off the field, they are much more receptive to take in the information and execute what is being asked.The players respect Andrew’s knowledge and his past ability, therefore, I have no doubt that whatever point he wants to get across or formation he wants to play, the players will respond positively. Andrew possesses a love for the game like very few in Bermuda and it is this love that has driven him to continue through the highs and lows of football. Without even asking him I can confidently say that coaching the Bermuda national football team has been a lifelong dream of his and he is finally seeing that dream come true, and rightfully so.How we do in this tournament will be interesting to see, as his time coaching the players has been short. However, good coaches are able to make the most out of not so ideal situations, and I’m certain that Andrew along with Richard Todd will be able to get the best out of the players to do us proud. With Richard Todd as his assistant for this tour, we certainly have a pair of coaches that think like-minded. Richard’s work ethic, focus and love for the game is right on par with what the head coach needs. Having had the privilege to work with Richard recently at St George’s I can tell you that Bermuda has got a first class youth director on board.Many locals may have never heard of Richard or if they have they know very little about him, but that is due to him spending several years in Alabama working and coaching as a youth director at Huntsville Football Club. This enabled him to work in a professional setting, thus expanding his wealth of knowledge. Upon returning he assisted Andrew at Boulevard where they were very successful as a coaching unit. Richard eventually went on to give back to his boyhood club, St George’s Cricket Club.While there he helped turn them from being known as only a cricket club to a football club to be reckoned with, gaining the respect of the football fraternity here in Bermuda. Richard’s progress with St George’s was looked upon as phenomenal, exhibited by receiving the Bermuda Football Association’s Coach of The Year Award in his very first year of coaching them.The parting of Richard with St George’s was a blessing in disguise for him as when the part-time youth director job became available, there was nothing standing in his way to pursue it. As with Andrew, this was a dream come true for Richard, this was the job he had been preparing for and hoping for since the beginning of his coaching career in Alabama.When I look at Andrew and Richard I see the similarities in their passion, hunger, and love, for the game, and can only wait in anticipation of what is to come. Together these two gentlemen will do Bermuda proud if given the time to nurture those around them. They are two inspiring tacticians of the game, and if the national players take heed to the instructions and are willing to buckle down and work hard I have no doubt that Bermuda football will be on the up and up. Congratulations to you both and best wishes to the team.